Hey There, Lonely Girl
Chapter Two.
Gypsy's Story.
As usual, I own nobody you recongize. I'm making no money, blah blah blah.
"Papa!" she called, barely able to support him from falling over. "Papa what happened, are you alright?"
"Shannon.." he groaned, grateful that she was here with him, and not at home where they could find her and do God knows what. Although he was powerless to stop them should they come back, his daughter was safe.
"Papa stay here, I'll find a doctor. You'll be alright, you'll be alright.." She got up to leave, but Daniel held her back.
"It's not worth it my girl, the end is coming for all of us eventually. I'll go up and be with your mother, and then she and I will continue to take care of you. Life has to end baby, love doesn't. And I promise you here and now you shall always have mine."
"But I want you with mee" she cried, "I don't want to be an orphan."
Daniel nodded painfully and placed a silver chain over her neck. It was a tiny star made out of blue and white gems. "I gave this to your mother on our wedding day, now it's your turn to have it. As long as it's by your heart, you'll never be alone."
Shannon nodded, the tears flowing freely now. "I love you papa."
"I love you too Sha..." he gasped, before closing his eyes for the last time.
Shannon laid right down on the sidewalk next to her father's body. She took his arm and wrapped it around herself as she did so often when she was younger. In the good old days, in the past.
"I'll see you again papa," she whispered softly before closing her eyes.
XXXX
"So they killed him." It was more of a statement then a question.
"Yes, brutally. He did not die right away."
"Did you ever find out who it was? The mob perhaps?"
"No, never. Would it surprise you to learn that no one saw a thing?"
The younger woman shrugged. She was not surprised. Appalled maybe, but not surprised.
"Then what happened?" she prodded gently.
"I did the only thing I could do. I ran away."
"To the lodging house?"
"Not exactly, not at first. It was a boy who convinced me to come to the lodging house, if it were up to me... I would have wandered the streets forever."
It had been three days since her father's death, and only a couple of hours past the funeral. Shannon sat on a bench in Central Park and let the sun shine on her face. She remembered her mother believed sun and air would fix all your problems. Her whole family loved being outside, even if it was something boring, like doing laundry. She took off her aching shoes and let her feet play in the grass. By the time she was making her toes dance, a boy- no a young man approached her with a stack of newspapers.
"Kinda early in the day for dancin', what do youse think?"
"No, it's a perfect time."
"Are youse a dancer?"
"Not really. I mean I do know how to, but it isn't really a habit." Who was this boy? Why was he talking to her all of a sudden. She was trying to mope.
"I'se Jack, but everybody calls me Cowboy. You can too, or Jack..if youse want." he sputtered, smiling sheepishly.
"I'm Shannon. "
"So you'se lost your way?"
"No, I'm fine. Leave me alone." she announced, wiping away fresh tears. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"Well, I'se no doubt of that. But until you feel better, come home with me."
"What kind of girl do you think I am?"
"Take it easy 'ere Miss, I ain't saying nothing. Jist bein' nice."
"No I'm still not interested, thanks. I've got places to go."
"Out dancin'?"
"No. Just out. Away. Gone from here."
"Geez Gypsy, always runnin' even after I try to be a gentleman."
"Gypsy who?" she asked, rolling her eyes at 'Gentleman."
"Youse."
"No, Shannon.. Remember?"
"Well Miss Shannon, then you are Irish too I'm guessin'"
She nodded. There was more to it then that, but why tell him more then he needed to know? All he was to her was some stranger in a park.
"Sees that's the first thing youse gotta learn, well the s'cond really.. As a newsie, yer old life, it nevah happened. Youse dead to the woirld. Now, youse is Gypsy- your newsie name."
"No, thank you." She had no desire to become a newsie. She knew the days were long, the kids were overworked, and they would slit her throat.
"I would feel bettah."
"And is that all? Just do it for your peace of mind?"
Jack smirked and nodded. Shannon wondered how he could be so not demanding, but convincing. He was cute, but she wasn't interested in chasing boys right now. Life, as she knew it had ended.
"One day, try one day."
"Alright. Fine, I give up. But one day." she glared. "After that, I have other places to go and things to do."
"Yeah," he bragged slipping his arm around her shoulders to guide her to the lodging house. "I picked a winner with your name. Gypsy really suits you."
XXX
So do you like it? Do you hate it? I won't know unless you tell me guys! Send me anything that's on your mind :-) It'll pick up more as we gain steam, but I just want to sort of set the background to our heroine here. Enjoy!